Olivia Moore has landed her dream job—to renovate a very special beach house for her best friend, Maria. The last thing Olivia needs is to bump into her teen crush, the geeky yet sexy Alexander Anderson. She fell in love with him so hard and completely and he broke her heart. Now he’s her best friend’s brother-in-law.

Despite his devastating mistake a decade earlier the shy, enigmatic bachelor now asks Olivia to help him with a special makeover and an infusion of confidence to woo a particular, special woman (unaware that she’s the one he’s after) she wants nothing to do with him. After all, despite her generous nature to help, she cannot risk getting closer to him. Her life has no room for romance or distractions. Still coming to terms with her secret past she fears that Alexander may discover it. She wants an uncomplicated life focusing on what she loves–redesigning homes–with no risk of being hurt.and , pain free and not risking being hurt.

This bestselling 40,000 word novel is an expanded and enhanced version of the novella first published as part of the amazing Billionaires on the Beach Anthology: which raised 100% of the proceeds for breast cancer in summer of 2017.

“…Ms. Silk’s uplifting stories pull you in and make you fall in love…” Elizabeth Lennox, Bestselling Romance Author

Was Alexander dreaming? Was Olivia Moore kissing him? He refused to wake up, ever! As he was about to deepen the kiss Olivia moved away with an expression that told him she had acted on impulse and regretted it.

“The problem with you seems that you’re too modest. You should stop hiding the real you and transfer that confidence,” she nodded towards the podium, “into your personal, romantic life.” She said it in a breathy way as if she was trying to compose herself and was determined to sound professional. But she could not hide the flush of pleasure she had obviously shared during the too-short few seconds of their kiss.

He was growing wings of hope. Maybe she felt more for him than merely as a Samaritan for a doofus client.

“The food’s good, you want to stay awhile?” Perhaps he could muster up some courage to dance with her. She would do it in the name of her ‘responsibility’ to help him.

She nodded. A few minutes later she said, “You obviously have quite a lot of public speaking experience and a huge following.” Her eyes sparkled with respect. “I had no idea you’ve traveled so extensively. I’m beginning to wonder if you really need my help, and if you really are that shy in your personal life.”

Suddenly all he wanted was to tell her the truth about everything. This was his perfect opportunity. About why he was in town, why he had wanted her ‘help’ and about the non-existent Jessica.

The woman I want to woo is you! All I want is you, Olivia, just the way you are. Perfect.

But his throat closed up and he shook inside. Misunderstanding his reaction, the sensitive Olivia touched his hand again and said, “Don’t worry, I’m here. You’ll do just fine tomorrow. Just take some of the energy and drive you had up there,” Olivia pointed to the podium, “and you’ll sweep Jessica off her feet.”

Was that fleeting jealousy he saw within her expressive eyes, or was it his wishful thinking?

As they enjoyed the delicious menu, the pleasure of having her in his arms as they danced was marred by his cowardice. He was not only frustrated with himself but the heat and the rightness of being together fanned his hunger for her and impatience with himself. He wanted to kiss Olivia and hold her so tightly instead of merely dancing with her. He wanted to explore every curve and crevice of her gorgeous body, and quench the desire within him.

What would it take to grow a backbone? Why could he face an army of opposition and controversy in his business, and clam up in front of the soft, generous Olivia?

And what if he was misreading her emotions? Be positive, damn it.

What if by some miracle his purging admission was met by her reciprocating his feelings? What if she also felt their physical attraction and emotional synchronicity? All his brothers had found their own true love; what if Olivia was his one and only?

But he was not the purging type. Despite having meant every word about being fortunate in his family life, he now felt even more trapped within his lie. Olivia was a genuine person who deserved the truth.

What could he do now and not risk losing Olivia again?

(Copyright Gloria Silk 2017)

Author Bio:

Ever since Gloria Silk was little her passion was creating and sharing her romantic stories with others. She always loved reading contemporary and historical novels that grasped her imagination. Gloria now writes intense, sensuous love stories.

In addition to writing romance and women’s fiction, she enjoys writing intercultural romances and about family bonds. What can be more important in life than love and family?

Born in Russia, Gloria Silk has visited and lived in amazing, exotic places in the world. Loving Europe (especially the English, Italian and French countryside) and the Mediterranean, her other favorite country is Hawaii. She has yet to visit India and Australia, her dream destinations in the name of research, of course!

Being a writer gives her the privilege to explore, travel, and meet wonderful, new and exciting—and sometimes eccentric—people. Her background in English literature, writing, and psychology helps her create unique characters for her stories. Especially the charismatic heroes and feisty heroines who find themselves in sticky situations with each other, their families, and their cultures. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing readers love her warm heroines and the gorgeous enigmatic heroes, like she falls in love with them.

When she is not painting in various media or watching romantic movies, or cooking up a storm for her family and friends, she hangs out with her writing friends and other creatives.

Although she was brought up in England, she now lives – and writes – in the Toronto, Canada, with her own love of her life, soul-mate husband, her gorgeous and fun daughter and her smart, blonde Cockapoo, Princess Bella.